♫ Sad Songs (Say So Much) ♫

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, music, music history

What say we kick of the new year with some Elton John?

I really don’t have much trivia about this song, other than it was co-written, as were most of Elton’s songs, by Bernie Taupin and Elton.  This song is the closing track on the 1984 album Breaking Hearts. It reached #7 on the UK charts and #5 on the U.S. charts. The lyrics describe how it sometimes helps for someone who is feeling sad, or who has lost a partner, to listen to old radio blues classics.  Personally, that seems rather like pouring salt into a wound, and if I’m sad I’d much rather listen to something cheerful and upbeat, like The Carpenter’s Top of the World, or Leslie Gore’s Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows!

Elton performed this song on One Night Only: The Greatest Hits Live at Madison Square Garden with Canadian rock star Bryan Adams. In 2013, John was joined by Rod Stewart in a special performance of the song at the London Palladium after being presented with first Brits Icon award in recognition of his “lasting impact” on UK culture.

Sad Songs (Say So Much)
Elton John

Guess there are times when we all need to share a little pain
And ironing out the rough spots
Is the hardest part when memories remain
And it’s times like these when we all need to hear the radio
‘Cause from the lips of some old singer
We can share the troubles we already know

Turn ’em on, turn ’em on
Turn on those sad songs
When all hope is gone
Why don’t you tune in and turn them on

They reach into your room, oh oh oh
Just feel their gentle touch (gentle touch)
When all hope is gone
Sad songs say so much

If someone else is suffering enough oh to write it down
When every single word makes sense
Then it’s easier to have those songs around
The kick inside is in the line that finally gets to you
And it feels so good to hurt so bad
And suffer just enough to sing the blues

So turn ’em on, turn ’em on
Turn on those sad songs
When all hope is gone
Why don’t you tune in and turn them on

They reach into your room, oh oh oh
Just feel their gentle touch (gentle touch)
When all hope is gone
You know sad songs say so much

Sad songs, they say
Sad songs, they say
Sad songs, they say
Sad songs, they say so much

So, turn ’em on, (turn ’em on), turn ’em on, (turn ’em on)
Turn on those sad songs
When all hope is gone
Why don’t you tune in and turn them on

They reach into your room, oh oh oh
Just feel their gentle touch (gentle touch)
When all hope is gone
You know sad songs say so much
When all hope is gone
You know sad songs say so much

When ever little bit of hope is gone
Sad songs say so much
When ever little bit of hope is gone
Sad songs say so much
When all hope is gone
Sad songs say

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Bernie Taupin / Elton John
Sad Songs (Say So Much) lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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43 thoughts on “♫ Sad Songs (Say So Much) ♫”

  2. If you like it, you like it! Thanks for sharing it and your feelings about it.

    I used to love this very quirky (rather drunken-sounding, raucous) b-side Ho!Ho! HO! Who’d Be A Turkey At Christmas (which I put in someone’s comments yesterday, so apologies if it was yours too!):

    Liked by 3 people

  4. This one says so much to me. It says “stop listening to this and play my early songs, back in the days when I was good.” And if I played the Carpenters to cheer myself up it would probably tip me over the edge 🤣

    Liked by 4 people

  5. You and I are opposites on this one, Jill. I have a whole list of sad songs to play when romantic tragedy strikes, in particular. I immerse mtself in “sad songs,” and I let my feelings take me down to rock bottom. When I get there — it usually doesn’t take that long — I have nowhere to go but up — to get happier. I never avoid feelings, I face them head on.
    So great song.
    Question: Was there a reason you chose this song today? Is everything okay?

    Liked by 3 people

  6. Pingback: ♫ Sad Songs (Say So Much) ♫ | Filosofa’s Word | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  7. Thanks Jill. It is not bad, but is not on my short list of my favorites of his. I saw a comment about not wanting to see him perform. My wife and I had the pleasure of watching him and what struck me is how many multi-generation groups were in the audience near us singing word for word each song. Seeing teens sing his songs meant they stood the test of time. It was very cool. Keith

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    • I’m not sure if it’s on my short list or not, but I do like it … but then, there’s not much Elton did that I didn’t care for … some of his earlier stuff, maybe. Indeed, I think he does withstand the test of time and appeals to a wide spectrum of ages!

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  10. I understand the feeling of enjoyment derived from the lyrics of ‘Sad Songs’ and working things out from there, rather than trying to jolly oneself through unrelated happy ones. (Not that The Carpenters’ could ever have made me happier.).

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    • I still prefer something upbeat if I’m down, but we’re all a bit different. Whatever puts the smile back on your face is good! Ha ha … no, I didn’t figure the Carpenters would be your choice for lifting your spirits! Cwtch

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